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Devin Thomas's Big Chance

Dwight Thomas simply nodded after making eye contact with his son, Devin, as the Redskins left the field this afternoon at Redskins Park. No words were needed.

"He knows I'm proud of how hard he's work to put himself in this position," the elder Thomas said, "and I know how much he wants this."

Devin Thomas, the second-year wide receiver, begins the season in competition for the starting Z receiver, or flanker, position. Although veteran Antwaan Randle El and second-year wideout Malcolm Kelly also could start opposite X receiver Santana Moss, there are strong indications that Thomas is the team's first choice for a new look at that spot.

"We have a lot of confidence in where he's headed," Coach Jim Zorn said. "Malcolm Kelly is coming on, [but] Devin has shown that he's a little more seasoned than Malcolm right now. They're both going to be competing, and Antwaan's not just going to give up" a starting role.

The Redskins would prefer to use Randle El in the slot more than in previous
seasons. Kelly could be a major factor if his knee holds up, but he experienced knee problems in college, too.

Thomas has the size and speed to complement Moss, the team's top wideout, on the other side of the field. With Moss often double-teamed last season, quarterback Jason Campbell had few viable options in the passing game.

The team's top 2008 draft pick, Thomas had maturity/professionalism issues. Although he got off to a slow start, he showed improvement in his approach late in the season and continued to make strides during the offseason, Zorn said.

"His confidence in the offense" has been a major change, Zorn said of Thomas. "And being able to run routes without having to think, 'What do I have to do on this route?' He just gets himself aligned, and he's able to concentrate more on coverage and beating the defender than trying to remember what the route is."

Dwight Thomas wasn't surprised Devin struggled with his adjustment to a new level of football because he had seen this many times before. "Throughout his little football career, I mean, this always happened," Dwight said of Devin starting slowly. "When he started in [youth] football, his first year in junior high, his first year in high school, whatever it was, he was always just a little slow to get going, just moderate.

"Even when he went to Michigan State, it took him to the second year to really turn things on. He learned the program, he got more familiar with the playbooks and things of that nature, and it helped his confidence. He knows the position he's in and he has matured over the past year or so. His confidence is sky high now. Given the opportunity, I think he's going to do some big things."
...
Rain and thunderstorms forced the Redskins to cancel the afternoon practice.

All we need to do is wait for the new season of Law & Order…..only it will be Paul Burriss, star pitcher for the New York Tigers who shot himself in the foot, and his buddy, starting shortstop Anthony Pearson hid the gun and drove him to the hospital. We will then find out indded what Jack McCoy would do and what the maximum charges and sentences can be.

“Dwight Thomas simply nodded after making eye contact with his son, Devin, as the Redskins left the field this afternoon at Redskins Park. No words were needed.”

Now THIS is some good writing JReid!…….maybe could have used a little more of a dramatic pause between the sentences, but really good. I pictured Alec Baldwin reading it aloud to me like when he narrates the “America’s Game”’s on NFL network and it brought a tear to my eye. Keep up the good work ;)

In defense of the tree guy, have you ever tried to use a portapotty after somebody has taken a monster crap in one of those thangs? It is cramped, the smell is bad enough to gag a horse, the flies are buzzin all over, ...

"Listen Plex, lets plea, you take some offseason jail time...maybe spread over two winters and some house arrest. We will let the DA's office brag and you wont miss anything other than a few OTAs...which you would have skipped anyway"

He would be in Giants training camp right now.

Posted by: chrislarry | July 31, 2009 2:47 PM

CL, sometimes clients don't listen to their lawyers. They listen to their families and other people who don't know sjk about the law but know their meal ticket will be gone for some period.

I'm wondering why AP is testifying before a GJ that is investigating him without some sort of immunity or wink &nod from the prosecutor. And what he allegedly did was clearly a crime. It's my understanding that he tried to assist Plax in hiding the fact that there had even been a shooting.

"Listen Plex, lets plea, you take some offseason jail time...maybe spread over two winters and some house arrest. We will let the DA's office brag and you wont miss anything other than a few OTAs...which you would have skipped anyway"

He would be in Giants training camp right now.

Posted by: chrislarry | July 31, 2009 2:47 PM

Highly unlikely that the DA would have agreed to that kind of a sweetheart deal. Especially with NYC/Bloomberg being a notorious no fly zone for gun toters.

Who's read the ESPN Insider article saying the Skins are most interested in Vick?

Posted by: Devo2 | July 31, 2009 4:32 PM |

Not me. I can't convince myself to shell out coin for something that is free and just as good elsewhere. I wonder why there would be a market for Insider with willing buyers. But then there are many other web sites that run the same scam. WSJ, Playboy, etc. Go figure.

As a sophomore at Michigan State he had only six catches. Under head coach Mark Dantonio, Thomas played well his junior year with 79 catches, 1,260 yards, and eight touchdowns. Thomas decided to forgo his senior year at Michigan State and declare himself eligibile for the 2008 draft.

I doubt he'll ne found not guilty,, but a hung jury wouldn't surprise me at all.

Posted by: TheCork | July 31, 2009 4:44 PM |

Hung jury? Is this like a murder trial where everyone has to vote for a guilty verdict in order to convict?

Posted by: FreekyGeeky |

As far as I know, all criminal trials in the US civilian system of criminal justice require a unanimous verdict.

Civil trials do not, but I don't know the percentages.

The proof is different, too. criminal requires proof "beyond a reasonable doubt" and civil I think it's called "A preponderance of evidence," or something like that. In Kentucky, it's usually 86 Proof.

I sat on a court martial once and the vote was 3-2 to acquit, and that carried the day. Tried to convict an airman for smokin' a J, but they didn't have physical evidence and us junior officers voted to acquit, ticking off the higher ranking dudes.

I sat on a court martial once and the vote was 3-2 to acquit, and that carried the day. Tried to convict an airman for smokin' a J, but they didn't have physical evidence and us junior officers voted to acquit, ticking off the higher ranking dudes.

Posted by: TheCork | July 31, 2009 5:07 PM

Next court martial was of the junior officers who voted to acquit. One wasn't a court martial but a Cork martial.

Kind of hard to believe but they’re saying on Denver radio that Champ Bailey was one of three players who didn’t pass their conditioning test at the beginning of camp. Strange news about a perennial probowler who just recently told a reporter that he won’t be afraid to call out teammates who aren’t giving it their all this season.

"Williams was acquitted of the more serious charges against him, but the court's jury deadlocked on a charge of reckless manslaughter, and he currently faces a retrial on that charge. He was convicted on four counts of trying to cover up the shooting.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) reported on April 27, 2009, that Jayson Williams was stunned with a taser in a New York City hotel by members of the NYPD after reports that Williams had become suicidal and violent."

How can this guy be "walking around" 5 years after he was convicted of the lesser charges which do carry jail time?

"The WRs are going to be Moss, Thomas, and someone other than ARE. Thomas is going to lead the team in receptions and receiving TDs. Fred Davis is going to have more TDs than Cooley - book it.Posted by: learnedhand1"

Then color me surprised. A main point of developing another starting-quality receiver is get to Randle El into the slot on certain formations. Zorn seems to think the problem is he's been playing in the wrong spot.

Davis could play in a 2 TE set and still not get as many catches as Cooley. Chris is just too reliable.

-Finally, Roydell Williams catches a pass. He caught a quick strike from Campbell and made his way down field. If this were a game, though, he would have been leveled by Alfred Fincher coming across the middle of the field.

-Roydell Williams is not getting much of an opportunity to show his skills. Colt Brennan’s pass to him in the flat was low and off the mark. Williams had to lean down for the ball, but he could not hang on.

-Chase Daniel looked crisper than he did on training camp’s first day. He completed consecutive passes to Marko Mitchell, Marques Hagans and Anthony Alridge.

-Colt Brennan’s deep pass to Roydell Williams was too far. Williams had to adjust his body and veered out of bounds to try to make the grab.

-Big Mike Williams blocked out rookie Jeremy Jarmon, giving Brennan time to get a pass away. Brennan found Marko Mitchell across the middle for a nice gain.

Secure strong owner, GM, and Coach, secure strong fan base, liberal area (Mass), plus with the addition of Vick as a hybrid wildcat QB, the Patriots offense would be a nightmare to defend. Brady, Moss, Welker, and Vick, plus whatever RB. That would give any DC sleepless nights.

The one problem 72 may be the fact that Vick is still arrogant enough to tell people he wants to start. I'm sure eventually he'll get it through his thick, stupid head that he ain't no shot caller anymore. The Seahawks kinda need a new QB.